Recap: Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh

Sports Network | October 2, 2009

Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Andy LaRoche went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in, while Daniel McCutchen was solid in 6 1/3 innings to pick up his first win in the majors, as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Cincinnati Reds, 3-1, in the opener of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.

Lastings Milledge went 2-for-4 with a solo homer for the Pirates, who have won three in a row and five of six. Daniel McCutchen and Andrew McCutchen each scored a run for the victors.

Daniel McCutchen (1-2) gave up one run on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks to get his first MLB win in his sixth start. Matt Capps worked around a one-out double in the ninth to pick up his 27th save of the year.

Wladimir Balentien hit a solo homer for the Reds, who have lost two in a row and three of five.

Justin Lehr (5-3) went six frames, allowing three runs on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks to take the loss.

The Pirates drew first blood with a pair of runs in the third inning. Daniel McCutchen walked and Andrew McCutchen doubled to put men on second and third. LaRoche then laced a two-run single to left.

Milledge's solo home run to left in the fourth made it a 3-0 game.

The Reds failed to take advantage of a Paul Janish leadoff double in the sixth. Joey Votto flied out, Brandon Phillips went down swinging, and Scott Rolen grounded out to end the threat.

Balentien's solo blast to left in the seventh cut the gap to 3-1.

Jesse Chavez recorded the final two outs in the seventh, Joel Hanrahan tossed a perfect eighth, and Capps pitched a scoreless ninth to secure the victory for Pittsburgh.

Despite the loss, the Reds have won 11 of 16 versus the Pirates this year, taking five of seven so far at home...Over the last five games, Pittsburgh's starting pitchers have combined to give up just seven earned runs over 41 1/3 innings...Three of Milledge's four home runs this year have come against the Reds.